Kumarakom
is a location of fascinating insights and attractions. The village
of Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad
Lake in Kerala, a state in India. Seemingly afloat on the placid
waters of the Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom is a quaint little hamlet
of tiny islands about 100 kilometers from Cherai .Kumarakom
is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna.

Kumarakom
Bird Sanctuary is a noted bird sanctuary where many species
of migratory birds visit. The Vembanad Lake, the largest backwater
in Kerala, is habitat for many marine and freshwater fish
species The bird sanctuary extends over 14 acres (57,000 m²),
and came into existence following preservation efforts from
the government. It is a major tourist attraction an unbelievably
beautiful paradise of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy
fields and coconut groves interspersed with enchanting waterways
and canals adorned with white lilies.The natural friendliness
of the Kerala is best extracted through a luxurious cruise
the backwaters of Virgin Kerala villages.Kumarakom is the
best , in this small water world you'll come across plenty
of traditional country crafts, boats and canoes which will
take you into the heart of the scenic lake.

Fact
Files

Nearest
Air terminals:

Cochin
International Airport
Trivandrum International Airport

85
175

km
Km

Nearest
Rail terminals :

Ernakulam
Kottayam

65
16

km
Km

By
Road
:
Kottayam, the main road junction is just 14 kms from Kumarakom
/ From the Cochin International Airport it is an 85 Km
delightful ride by road to the Muhamma boat Jetty Via
Alappey.Catch a boat From Muhamma to Kumarakom Jetty.

HouseBoat
-Kettuvallam

Kettuvallom
or Houseboats (Riceboats) are country boats that were used in
the early days for the transport of goods from the isolated
interior villages to the towns. With the advent of roads, bridges
and ferry services, gradually the kettuvalloms went off the
scene. Now these kettuvalloms are back again as a major tourist
attraction. A house boat is about 67 to 95 feet feet in length
and has a width of around 13 feet to in the middle. The materials
that go into the making are all local and Eco friendly bamboo
poles, coconut fiber ropes, bamboo mats, coir carpets etc. The
main wood used is "Anjili".

The
house boats have fully furnished single double triple
and five bedrooms with sundeck, private balcony with
comfortable chairs, kitchen and toilet with WC. In addition
there is also separate rest room.

Each
houseboat has a three member crew - a chef, driver &
cabin assistants. The cuisine is traditional Kerala
flavor with the local specialties; delicious local fish.
There are single bedroom houseboats for two people and
two bedroom houseboats for four people.and 3 bedroom
houseboat for 6 , and 5 bedroom houseboat for 10 People.
The spectacular beauty of Kerala's backwaters needs
no introduction. A cruise along the palm-fringed waterways
of Kerala in a luxury houseboat is the most enchanting
holiday experience in India today. In this world of
simple pleasures, you will skim past ancient Chinese
fishing nets, water lilies, lush paddy fields, coir
villages, rustic homes, temples and coconut groves

In
and around Kumarakom

Pathiramanal
(sands of midnight), an enchanting island
on the lake, can be accessed by boat from here. This 10
acre island on the backwaters is home to many rare varieties
of migratory birds from different parts of the world.
According to mythology a young Brahmin dived into the
Vembanad Lake to perform his evening ablutions and the
water madeway for the land to rise from below. The island
can be accessed only by boat. A cruise along the Vembanad
Lake is the best way to experience the sanctuary

Aruvikkuzhi
Waterfalls
Aruvikkuzhi Waterfalls Located 18km from Kottayam town,
2 km down a mud lane from Kumarakom is this beautiful
picnic spot where streams tinkle as they make their way
through the landscape and waters roar as they cascade
down the mountains from a height of 100 ft

Aranmula
50km from Kottayam, Aranmula is the site of the splendid
Onam festival boat races, usually in early September.
These races unlike the more sporting Nehru Trophy race
at Alappuzha in August are essentially religious, based
on a temple festival. Caparisoned elephants with beaded
umbrellas, processions of decorated floats, and highly
ornate boats make this a lovely event to witness. Aranmula
is also the centre of bell metal mirror crafts

Vagamon
Vagamon, 64 km from Kottayam and 34 km from Pala, situated
at an elevation of 1100 meters above sea level is a trekker's
paradise. It is an ideal tourist spot surrounded by the
greenery of tea gardens, beautiful meadows and valleys.
Other attractions: Thangal Para, Indo-Swiss project, Kurisumala
Ashram

Best
Time To Visit
The best time to bird watch is between June and August.
To watch Migratory birds, November to February is the
best time

Attractions
of Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, an ornithologist's paradise
is a favourite haunt of migratory birds like the siberian
stork, egret, darter, heron and teal .The main attractions
are local birds like the waterfowl, cuckoo, owl, egret,
heron and the water duck, as well as the migratory Siberian
cranes. Parrots, teal, larks, flycatchers, wood beetle,
and other birds are seen here during their respective
migratory seasons.In addition, you can get thrilled of
the native kingfishers ablaze in psychedelic colours,
experience a walk under rookeries of egrets and night
herons or lone golden-backed woodpeckers and even delight
in the acrobatics of the paradise fly-catchers.

Fishing
Angling enthusiasts need bring only themselves on fishing
trips within the Kumarakom sanctuary, as equipment is
provided by local operators. The waters of Kumarakom
are home to a large variety of species of fish and even
novices will have a reasonable chance to make a catch.
Anyone going home empty-handed however, is unlikely
to feel too down about it as a day of relaxation amid
the gorgeous natural environment is compensation enough